July 15th, 2014

The Honourable Steven Del Duca

Ministry of Transportation
3
rd
Floor, Ferguson Block
77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1Z8

Dear Minister Del Duca:

I would like to first congratulate you on your recent appointment as the Minister of
Transportation. This community looks forward to working with you in your new capacity.

As you know, rapid transit has been one of the major issues Hamilton has been grappling with
(for what is now many years). Last year, I assumed the chairmanship of the Hamilton Chamber
of Commerces LRT Task Force, which has been providing leadership on this matter since its
inception.

In this capacity, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to provide you with some background
information and apprise you of our stance on light rail transit in Hamilton.

Comprising volunteers from among its membership, the Chamber established its LRT Task Force
in early 2012 to:

provide a business assessment of the B-Line LRT project that the City has been
advancing;
provide input and perspective on funding options for the project; and,
develop and execute a government relations and community engagement plan in
support of the project.

Three Hamilton City Councillors and the Mayor formally joined the task force on October 17,
2012, by motion of Council. The terms of reference agreed to by the task force members and
Council are attached for your reference.

The LRT Task Force has comprehensively evaluated available academic and government
research. Two documents in particular the City of Hamiltons Rapid Ready Report and The
North American Light Rail Experience: Insights for Hamilton study from the McMaster Institute
for Transportation and Logistics (MITL) have greatly informed the LRT Task Forces ultimate
determination that there is a strong business case for the B-Line LRT project.

The B-Line LRT project is highly likely to accelerate the encouraging economic growth that
Hamilton has experienced in recent years, and help fulfill the realization of other quality of life
and city-building goals.

The LRT Task Force last convened on April 23
th
, in advance of the provincial budget, to act on its
mandate and ensure that an assertive communication was initiated to your predecessor prior
to the introduction of the provincial budget on May 1
st
.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors overwhelmingly ratified the actions of
the LRT Task Force.

Accordingly, on April 25
th
, I submitted a letter informing your predecessor that the LRT Task
Force directed:

a) The President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber to write the Transport Minister
to reconfirm the LRT Task Forces support for the B-Line LRT and to request that
transit funding for Hamilton be included in the 2015 Provincial Budget;
b) The President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber to encourage the Transport
Minister to meet with the City of Hamilton to discuss Hamilton's request for LRT
and the associated funding; and,
c) Should the Province require a municipal financial contribution towards the
capital cost of the B-Line, notwithstanding Hamilton City Councils position of
100 percent capital funding, that the Province be requested to permit the
exercise of alternative funding strategies.

We were pleased to see a commitment in the budget and during the election for 100 per cent
capital funding for a Rapid Transit project in Hamilton. We are also encouraged to hear about
your imminent trip to Hamilton to discuss the future of this project.

While you are here, I would be pleased to meet with you to further discuss this matter and
reaffirm our commitment to LRT and to fulfilling the mandate of the task force.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to play a leadership role in facilitating a
constructive dialogue on opportunities to advance this critically important issue. I welcome the
chance to work with you directly on next steps.

Sincerely,

Keanin Loomis
President & CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce